The mysterious fate of the papal ring after the death of the sovereign pontiff

The ritual of destroying the papal ring

This ceremony follows a strict protocol. In the presence of the most important dignitaries of the Holy See , the ring is either broken or permanently altered . For Francis, it is a hammer blow given by Cardinal Farrell that will render the object unusable.

This highly symbolic gesture marks the end of a reign and opens the way to the conclave which will designate Peter’s successor.

A pontiff breaking with ostentatious traditions

True to his pared-back style, Francis had rejected the usual sumptuous gold ring. He had opted for a sober gold-plated silver ring , reusing a model that had belonged to Pasquale Macchi , a collaborator of Pope Paul VI.

Unlike his predecessors, he only wore this badge of power during official ceremonies. In everyday life, a simple silver ring was sufficient , reflecting his desire to break with traditional pomp.

This approach was evident in all his behavior: in 2019 , he delicately avoided having the faithful kiss his hand , not out of contempt but for health reasons and to emphasize that true piety does not reside in protocol gestures .